Redhead Smew and Drake Eider

A good Monday indeed. Called in at North Cave Wetlands to see the redhead Smew again that has been lingering at the reserve for knocking on a month now. It was pottering about in the reeds just 20 yards from the Turret Hide and eventually decided to stretch its swimming legs out into the open water.

Back home I walked down to Walsden to see if the reported drake Eider was still on the Rochdale Canal, as this is a very good record for Calderdale. We do not see many Eiders in the part of the country so it was worth an 8 mile round trip to see this elegant bird on home waters.

Luckily it was still there, although it had moved a little upstream from its reported position yesterday.